Or if you can come up with 20 extra dollars Quantum is having a huge sale on their EXO reels for half off on their website. That's a high end reel for a beginner, but it's super light and easy to work with. You can really dial one in to exactly how you need it while learning.

If you're a lefty Academy has Shimano Citicas on sale for 50 bucks off the 130 reg price. Like stated above, everyone loves Curados. I fondled one that a buddy at work bought, but I just wasn't seeing the price difference and he only paid 130 for it on sale. I haven't used one though. This list is pretty close to what the forums guys like minus the H20 Mettle. The Johnny Morris Carbon is 90 bucks right now at BPS if you happen to like that one. I've personally read a hell of a lot of guys who like numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,9 although I don't think you'd get hurt on any of em.

Get the cheapest one you can find and several spools of some cheap line and a cheapo rod and when you get frustrated and pist off and smash the reel and break the rod over your knee. That's when you know your ready for better quality rod and reel.

Czech, I'm trying to sell a BassPro Signature Series reel that I had won (I need a left hand reel and had won a standard right hand model). It's not seen the water, I've just practiced casting it in my yard a couple times. Super smooth and no backlashes. Brand new in store is $160 but I can get it to you for $130. I don't have enough posts to put it on the classifieds here, but have it listed on the sa fishing site if you want pics or more info or you can pm me here.